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Kyle Hines (CSKA Moscow) Winning The Euroleague Is Like Tasting The Best Cake In The World And I Want That Same Taste Again

Kyle Hines is a 28 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his second season with CSKA Moscow. He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010.In 2010-2011 he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg. He played for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) from 2011-2013 winning two Euroleague titles. Last season for CSKA Moscow he played : 26 games averaging 4.9ppg, 3.1rpg; Euroleague: 29 games: 7.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 63.2%, FT: 68.4%. German Hoops spoke to Kyle Hines before the Euroleague game against Alba Berlin.

Kyle welcome back to Berlin. In the 2010-2011 season you played games here as well beating Alba Berlin in the finals. What distinct memories do you have of that season and playing in the O2 arena?

Thanks Miles.There is always a great atmosphere in the O” arena in Berlin. I have seen all the great arena´s in Europe and I have to say that the O2 arena in Berlin is one of the best looking that I have played in Europe. Alba Berlin have great fans and I remember how well they support their team.

You return back to Berlin after playing there in the 2010- 2011 regular season and playoffs with Bamberg. What kind of game can we expect.

It will be a tough game for us. Alba Berlin play very aggressive and like to speed up the game. I am sure that they will be ready for us and give us their physical game. They had that big win against the San Antonio Spurs and started well into the season and have confidence. We are coming off a loss to Kuban and we want to get back on the winning track and give a good showing.

You have won 2 Euroleague titles that not many can say they did while Alba Berlin German Nils Giffey has won two NCAA titles with UCONN which not many have done. Will you introduce yourself before the game and trade championship stories?

Our assistant coach that has lived in Germany told me about Nils Giffey and I read up on him as well. We will see if it comes to a conversation. Maybe I will poke some fun during free throws.

CSKA Moscow have started the season at 1-1. How do you see your chances this season in the Russian league? Will Dynamo Moscow be your biggest threat or do you see other clubs?

The VTB league is always strong and has been getting more and more competitive like the German BBL has become. Many teams have made big signings this summer with guys from the NBA. We are the defending champions and we have to take each game very seriously because each team is aiming to beat us on any given night. We really have to have a strong mentality every night.

CSKA Moscow lost the opening game to Lokomotiv. Ex FC Bayern Munich guard Malcolm Delaney chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. His big goal is still the NBA and was very close to signing with the Houston Rockets. Do you think that the Russian league suits his game and will he make next step here?

It is really up to him if he wants to make the next step in Russia. He definitely has the right tools to achieve that. He is a highly skilled guard and has put up big numbers wherever he has played and won titles in France and Germany. I am sure that he will have a big season. I wish him the best just not when he plays CSKA Moscow.

It is very difficult to average 30 plus minutes for a top Euroleague team. You are averaging 18,5 minutes per game. Where do you see your role this season? Has it changed from last season?

Any high level team in Europe has a roster where 12-13 guys can make a difference on any given night. We have very high level guys on the team and my role is mainly to come off the bench and give energy and change the tempo of the game. My teammate Sasha Kaun and I differ in play so we can give the defense a different look. I want to continue to play hard on every possession, go hard to the boards and finish strong on every play.

You are 28 years old now. Do you see yourself in your prime? Is the best from Kyle Hines still to come on the court?

I certainly hope that there is more to come. I think that one reaches his prime at 31. I am still at that stage in my career where I look to improve each day. The physical abilities do tend to diminish with age, but I try to learn and think the game more now and rely less on my physical abilities now.

Point guard Nando De Colo played in the NBA the last two seasons playing for the San Antonio Spurs. How has his game matured in the last two seasons?

I remember when he played with Valenica. He is a very good and smart player that will help us. He has been injured the last two months and we are really looking forward to him coming back. He has very much to offer CSKA Moscow and he compliments the other guards well.

You are now playing your second season with top European point guard Milos Teodosic. What is the most amazing thing that you have seen him do on the court?

How much time do you have? I can give you a whole list. His passing skills are incredible. His vision is amazing and he is one of few players that can read plays way before they happen. He can read things 2-3 plays before they actually happen. I am so happy he can get me the ball in so many ways.

You have lived the basketball fairytale starting in the Italian second division, went to Bamberg and then made the big step playing for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus and now CSKA Moscow. How has your basketball life changed since your second consecutive Euroleague win?

Life since winning my second Euroleague title has changed a whole lot. I had the chance to be a part of something very special that only one team has done in Europe winning it twice in a row. It was very memorable and once you have tasted this kind of success you are yearning for that same success. Last season we reached the Final 4 and didn´t win and we are motivated to get back there again and I am motivated to get back to the podium. When I played in Italy and Bamberg, I had these images of what it could be like to win the Euroleague one day. Now I have the dream of winning again and tasting that feeling that I already had twice.

Do you get recognized in Sicklerville besides from Chris Fleming? Is your status in general changed? What are major differences from States to Europe?

Well In Europe you are more recognizable, but it has changed in the States now mainly because Euroleague is broadcast all over the world now. Basketball people acknowledge me more now after the two wins. The basketball game has even more of a global exposure now.

After winning two Euroleague titles, how do you motivate yourself to keep being hungry? Isn´t there the tendency to slack off a bit?

I think that I have a different motivation now. Before winning the Euroleague, I didn´t know how that feeling would be like. I was just dreaming in my mind how it could be. Now I know what the feeling is like. Winning the Euroleague is like tasting the best cake in the world and I want that same taste again. My motivation is to have that same feeling again.

The Bamberg era with Chris Fleming has ended. Did you talk with Chris over the summer? How much credit does he deserve for all the success in Bamberg?

I saw Chris Fleming, Casey Jacobsen and John Goldsberry last summer at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. We had very good conversations. I still keep in touch with many of my ex teammates like Brian Roberts or Reyshawn Terry. When I came to Bamberg it was my first taste of playing and being successful at a high basketball level. Chris Fleming and Wolfgang Heyder deserve very much credit for what happened in Bamberg the last years. It is hard to win just one title, but they won four in a row is amazing. They set the blue print for a dynasty in Bamberg. It was a big family and we still talk today. We built great relationships that are still intact today.

Casey Jacobsen retired last season. Where does he rank as your alltime best teammate ever?

He is definitely at the top of the list. Casey taught me how to be a professional on and off the court. He taught me just how to prepare myself best mentally and body wise. His leadership qualities were great. He taught me to be a good player on the court and better person off the court. We may only be a few years apart, but he is a real basketball role model for me.

As a rookie in Italy your coach was new Bamberg head coach Andrea Trinchieri. You know how he operates. Do you feel that he can get Bamberg a title in his first season?

I think that he can lead Bamberg to a title this season. It doesn´t really matter where he has coached, because he has had success wherever he has played. He has a very strong work ethic, is very passionate for the game and highly intelligent concerning the game. I think he will have success there.

What goals does a Kyle Hines still have? I remember a few years ago, you weren´t resigned from a NBA job but who is? What else besides winning titles do you still want?

Titles remain at the top of goals for me. Any athlete will tell you, once you win one title, you want another and another and more and more. I want to continue to be as successful as possible while playing at the highest level possible. I am thankful that I can play the game that I love at the highest level.

It is no secret that CSKA Moscow players get driven around in town. If you could chose a celebrity to chauffer you around who would it be?

Beyonce.

Why her Kyle?

I don´t need to add anything. Just look at her.

Where will the NBA journey of your favorite team Philadelphia 76ers end this season end this season?

The 76ers are a young team that are trying to build pieces and work through the draft. I think that they will take their bumps and bruises this season. But It isn´t about this season, but what will happen in the future. I hope that they will contend for a title in 5-6 years